A BRIEF INTERVIEW WITH JOHN BOEHNER

by M. Mania

As we ring out the year 2013, I’m delighted to be able to bring to you a brief interview with someone who was very much in the news this year, and is likely to be in the news again next year, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner. The Speaker and I met recently for a cup of coffee at a Fuddruckers Restaurant near his home in Butler County, Ohio.
 

MM: Thank you so much for making yourself available for this interview.
 

JB: Of course. Glad to do so. Of course, I can’t give you much time.
 

MM: I understand.
 

JB: Is that your coffee or mine?
 

MM: Uh, it’s yours. I’m having tea.
 

JB: Oh. Okay.
 

MM: I wanted to start -

 

JB: Are we sharing these fries?
 

MM: Sure. That’s why I got a large basket.
 

JB: Great. I’m just on the go so much, it’s hard to get a bite sometimes.
 

MM: We can order in a minute.
 

JB: Alright.
 

MM: Now, I wanted to start by asking you about the new poll that came out that shows a pretty marked difference between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to believing in evolution.
 

JB: Uh huh.
 

MM: The poll shows that the percentage of Democrats and independent voters who believe in evolution has pretty much held steady over the past five years at about 65 percent, whereas the number of Republicans who believe in evolution has dropped from a majority, 54 percent, to a minority, just 43 percent, in the same five years.
 

JB: Is that a question?
 

MM: Well, the question is, well, I guess I’d start by asking if you personally believe in evolution?
 

JB: I believe that people of good faith can have different views on this issue.
 

MM: But do you believe in evolution?
 

JB: As I said, I believe that people of good faith can have different views.
 

MM: So is that a yes, or a no?
 

JB: I’ve answered your question.
 

MM: So do you have any comments on how these numbers have changed regarding Republicans?
 

JB: Not really. People of good faith and all.
 

MM: But you do acknowledge that the numbers have changed in the last five years?
 

JB: That’s what you say, isn’t it?
 

MM: So, if the numbers have changed over the last five years, couldn’t you say that the Republican view on evolution has evolved over the past five years?
 

JB: Now you’re just trying to put words in my mouth.
 

MM: No, I’m –
 

Frankie (Fuddruckers Waitstaff): Are you gentlemen ready to order now?
 

JB: I’m going to need a few more minutes.
 

Frankie: Excellent. I’ll be back then.
 

MM: Now then, I was asking if you believe that the views of Republican voters on evolution have, collectively, changed over the past five years.
 

JB: And I said that it’s entirely possible and reasonable for you to say that, yes. Though I’m not too thrilled with that word, collectively.
 

MM: And so, isn’t it reasonable to say that another word for change, a synonym, could be evolution?
 

JB: Well, you could say that. I’m not saying that.
 

MM: Let me try a different approach, okay? Have you, um, have you, personally, grown either physically or intellectually since you were, say, five years old?
 

JB: What sort of a question is that?
 

MM: Just bear with me, please. I think my follow up will make it all clear.
 

JB: Well, of course I’ve grown since I was five. I’m taller, have a deeper voice, a deeper understanding of the world, and still think this is a silly waste of time question.
 

MM: So, as you just stated, in your case, in your personal experience, you have in fact grown. And if we accept that growth could include an element of change, and that change could be a sort of synonym for evolution –

 

JB: Is that a question, or a statement?
 

MM: I’m just trying to get you to see that you have, in fact, essentially admitted that you yourself have personally evolved, and –
 

JB: Now you’re putting words in my mouth again.
 

MM: So you don’t believe in evolution?
 

JB: I never said that.
 

MM: So you do believe in evolution?
 

JB: I never said that.
 

MM: So could you, would you, state what you believe?

 

Frankie: Ready to order now?
 

JB: Yes. I’ll have the Wild Boar Burger, with pepper jack cheese – to go.
 

Frankie: Would you like fries with that?
 

JB: No. I had some already.
 

Frankie: Great! That’ll be ready in just a few minutes.
 

MM: Do you think that being perceived as anti-science will hurt Republicans in the 2014 midterm elections?
 

JB: I didn’t say that.
 

MM: I didn’t say you said it. I was asking a question.
 

JB: And I’ve answered all your questions.
 

MM: So does this mean –
 

JB: It’s been a pleasure talking with you. Best wishes to you for a happy New Year.